Kazakhstan moves forward on integrated groundwater strategy for 2027–2040

On February 13, national and international experts gathered in Astana for a one-day working meeting to discuss the draft Concept for the Integrated Use and Management of Groundwater of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2027–2040. The meeting served as a key platform to align priorities, incorporate international experience, and prepare the concept for further formal review.

The event was jointly supported by the Blue Peace Central Asia (BPCA) initiative, implemented by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). It was also coordinated with the SDC-supported Regional Groundwater Project and organized in close collaboration with national partners. 

Groundwater at the center of water security

Groundwater is increasingly recognized as a strategic component of Kazakhstan’s water security, particularly as surface water resources face growing pressure from climate variability, population growth, and expanding agricultural and industrial demand. These challenges highlight the need for a transition from fragmented groundwater use toward a long-term, science-based and institutionally coordinated management system.

The draft concept aims to provide such a framework, outlining priorities for resource assessment, monitoring, protection, and sustainable use, as well as institutional, regulatory, and economic measures for implementation.

Participants, representing government agencies, research institutions, regional hydrogeological services, and international organizations - engaged in thematic discussions on groundwater resource monitoring, sustainable use, institutional frameworks, and the integration of international approaches into the national context. Contributions included perspectives on groundwater strategies from European and Asian countries, best practices in groundwater governance, and practical experiences from the region.



The expert dialogue focused on refining the structure and priorities of the draft concept and identifying practical steps for implementation. The expected outcomes included a consolidated expert vision of the concept’s key components, a list of recommendations for improving the document, and agreement on next steps for inter-agency coordination.

The recommendations generated during the meeting will inform the finalization of the concept, helping ensure that Kazakhstan’s groundwater strategy reflects both national priorities and international best practices.

At this stage, BPCA initiative contributes to the organization and facilitation of expert discussions, while the SDC-supported Regional Groundwater Project is expected to take a leading technical role in the further development and implementation of the concept.

In addition to the expert roundtable, participants met with hydrogeology students from the Astana Technical College, creating an opportunity to exchange knowledge and inspire the next generation of groundwater professionals.